Nonchalant attitude amidst surge in cases keeps dist admin on toes

Mangaluru: A near five-fold increase in Covid-19 positive cases in Dakshina Kannada since the beginning of this month has raised the hackles of the district administration. As against 127 cases on June 1, the district now has 663 cases and the administration is bracing for more cases with a steady stream of chartered flights and domestic travellers returning home amidst the raging economic crisis that the pandemic has wrought.
The district administration on Saturday spoke on what is likely to hit a society that lowers its guard. “We are seeing people move about unmindful of a pandemic around,” said deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh in a video-message circulated through the department of information and public relations.
Justifying her observation is the progression of positive cases from 127 to 663 in the last 28-days. Barring June 2 when there were no positive cases reported, the district DK recorded the least number of positive cases (2) on June 3 and June 11 respectively and the highest ever 97 cases on June 28 since the first positive report of the pandemic in Karnataka on March 8. The cases have remained in single digits for 13 of these 28 days and above 10 on rest of the days.
The district has received more than 3,500 international travellers since June 1 out of which 300 have tested positive. People coming from outside Karnataka too have been placed under quarantine. There is also a gradual rise in influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases that are being detected in fever clinics set up for the purpose and behaviour of people does not reflect this reality, DC rued.
54 FIRs against quarantine violaters
With 54 FIRs lodged against people for violating home quarantine norms, DC said these are in the best interest of the individual and society. “The virus is known not to remain active beyond 14-days and hence the period of home quarantine,” DC said, adding vigil is being maintained on such people through quarantine watch app. Even people in 100-odd containment zones must follow the guideline issued by the health department officials, Sindhu said.
Reminding people that the society is amid a major public health issue, she said they must venture out of their homes only if necessary. Even when one does venture out, they should wear masks compulsorily, observe social distancing and take care of personal hygiene. “If people fail to fall in line, the administration will be compelled to use more stringent provisions of law under both IPC and the Epidemic Diseases Act,” DC warned.